Led by Sora, the group arrived at one of the small private rooms in the restaurant.
At the same time, Sora also set down three uniform outfits and reminded them to change into them beforehand, or at least put them on over their clothes if they didn't want to change.
Erina really wanted to complain about the small private room's terrible space and decor, but seeing that her grandfather had no objections, she could only suppress her dissatisfaction.
If the food later didn't satisfy her, she wondered how she would deal with that scoundrel.
"Miss Erina, aren't you going to change?" Chitawara Natsume asked while putting on a loose-fitting uniform.
Seeing the large words "Liu's Restaurant" printed on the uniform, Erina felt a wave of displeasure and how could she possibly willingly wear it? She shook her head repeatedly, rejecting the suggestion.
....
"Xiao Ming, you're too kind. You know those guys have ill intentions, yet you still have the heart to entertain them. If it were me, even if I didn't kill them, I'd at least teach them a good lesson to vent my anger," Thor chattered incessantly from the kitchen.
Liu Ming looked at her speechlessly. Thor was really too vengeful. Ever since Erina and the others came in, Thor had been egging him on to kick them out of the restaurant.
Liu Ming gave her an exasperated look, then said, "No matter what, they are guests. We run a business, and as long as they're not too excessive, we still have to entertain them."
"Besides, Megumi is still taking classes with them. What if they make things difficult for Megumi at school after we kick them out?"
"She wouldn't dare!" Thor glared, as if she intended to go out and warn her.
Liu Ming quickly continued, "Of course, that's just a guess. Even if she had that thought, her grandfather wouldn't allow her to act recklessly."
"You've met her grandfather. He's a reasonable old man. He's giving us so much face, so we can't make things too difficult for him, right?"
"And, do you have so little faith in my cooking? Don't you want to see her miserable face after being defeated by my dishes?"
Thor immediately fell silent. In fact, her actions were more directed at Chitawara Natsume, who always wanted Liu Ming.
Unfortunately, Liu Ming didn't agree with her approach at all, which left her a little disappointed.
Time flew by.
Liu Ming and Sora brought a total of three dishes into the small private room where Erina and the others were.
"Guests, your dishes are ready. Please enjoy," Liu Ming had no intention of staying. After setting down the items, he left with Sora.
Looking at the three dishes covered by opaque domes on the dining table, Erina couldn't help but grumble, "Hmph, always making useless things."
Chitawara Natsume looked at the domes on the table, then at Erina, who still had no intention of changing her clothes. She finally couldn't help but remind her, "Miss Erina, are you really not going to change your clothes?"
"Stop nagging! I said I'm not changing! It's just eating a dish, why so many ridiculous rules? Who does he think he is?" Erina said discontentedly.
Chitawara Natsume shrugged. She had already warned her, and since the other party didn't accept it, it was no longer her business.
Moreover, the only man here was her grandfather anyway, so even if something really happened, it wouldn't be a big deal.
"Let's begin. I've been looking forward to this for a long time. I just hope it doesn't disappoint me," Senzaemon stood up, grasped one of the domes, and gently lifted it.
A golden pillar of light shot up, followed by the aroma of the ocean.
Senzaemon's eyes widened. Although he had heard from Chitawara Natsume that Liu Ming's dishes would emit golden light, when he truly faced it, he still couldn't control his shock.
He sniffed, muttering, "This aroma... is it sea bream? But, isn't it too fresh? The timing seems a bit off."
On the other side, Erina had long lost her previous arrogance, standing dumbfounded in place.
With her God Tongue, she was more sensitive than the other two present. That rich aroma just now had completely shattered all the pride in her heart.
Sea bream, shiitake mushrooms, cabbage, carrots, bamboo shoots, green peppers... weren't these all common ingredients? How could they be elevated to this level?
She desperately wished the scene before her was an illusion.
Senzaemon took a deep breath, savored it for a moment, and then continued to lift the second dome.
Again, a golden light shot up into the sky.
Even though he had focused his attention, he still couldn't find any flaws.
What was the principle behind this?
Or was the legend true, that once a dish was perfected, it would produce a 'light of cuisine'?
Senzaemon's feelings were complex. Known as the 'Demon King of Cuisine' by the world, he considered his culinary skills to be at the top tier of chefs.
However, after seeing Liu Ming's dishes, he realized he had underestimated the world too much.
Erina stared blankly at the second dish.
This must be the Mystical Mapo Tofu that Chitawara Natsume had just mentioned.
Red and white intertwined, exuding a devilish, tempting aura, luring one to commit a sin.
This spicy aroma was much more assertive than the Spring roll just now. Just the scent alone was teasing her tongue beyond belief. Saliva kept flowing in her mouth, and she couldn't control the urge to swallow.
"Mr. Liu is truly amazing," Senzaemon couldn't help but exclaim.
Erina, however, was filled with unwillingness. Even without tasting it, she clearly saw how vast the gap between her and Liu Ming was.
"Why? Why? They're just common ingredients, so why can he achieve this level?" Erina screamed internally.
Her pride as an Elite Ten member of Tootsuki, her talent as a God Tongue, blessed by heaven, seemed so insignificant in front of Liu Ming's cooking.